CLEAR

Connecting Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Recovery (CLEAR) is the implementation of a new contract NAMI Collier was awarded by DCF on January 1, 2013.

According to DCF, “the purpose of this contract is to shift the behavioral health system to one that does more than embrace Recovery as a concept. The system of care must put that belief into action by partnering with individuals/families in Recovery, to implement a Recovery oriented system of care that includes leadership and advocacy, Peer-led training, and access to care.”

CLEAR, Connecting Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Recovery, is a statewide program provided by NAMI of Collier County and the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF has entrusted CLEAR with the goal of shifting “the behavioral health system to one that does more than embrace recovery as a concept. The system of care must put that belief into action by partnering with individuals/families in recovery, to implement a recovery oriented system of care.” To that end, CLEAR has established the Florida Leadership Academy, which provides leadership and advocacy trainings for peers, family members and parents of children with mental and emotional disturbances. CLEAR also offers a statewide Mental Health Access Line helping people find information and referral to resources and supports for mental health challenges. As of January 1, 2015, the Access Line has merged with Born Drug-Free Florida, which is an initiative by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Office of the Attorney General and the Florida Department of Health to raise awareness about babies being born exposed to prescription drugs. The campaign educates expectant mothers about the importance of discussing prescription drug abuse with their doctors and to offer assistance to the women.

CLEAR’s Florida Leadership Academy in May 2013 brought peer, family member, and parent leaders from all over the state to learn leadership and advocacy skills from leading experts at the West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association. That same year introduced the train-the-trainer academy, which successfully trained 12 peers who are now capable of conducting their own Leadership Academy programs throughout the 6 regions of Florida. The academies are held regionally throughout the year. Currently for 2015 there are academies scheduled in the Suncoast, Central, Southeast, and Northwest regions. For more information on being a part of the Leadership Academy, please contact Michael McNally at (239)260-7313 or email Michael@namicollier.org.

CLEAR operates a 24/7 statewide access, information and referral line directed toward Consumers and family members to carefully monitor access to care. The hotline identifies access issues (wait lists, transportation) to be referred to the respective managing entity. Call the Access Line and Born Drug-Free at 1-800-945-1355 and check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/flclear for more information. Information on the Born Drug-Free initiative can be found at www.borndrugfreefl.com.

Support your local NAMI

NAMI of Collier County served over 14,000 individuals in 2012-2013. The Sarah Ann Drop-In Center averages 400 visits a month by individuals diagnosed with mental illness. NAMI provided over $30,000 in financial assistance for psychiatric evaluations and emergency prescriptions, shelter and food. NAMI depends largely on individual and corporate donations.